To All The People I Love

By T. Pratiksha Reddy

I can't say, "I love you"

Not because I don't.

I can't say, "I love you"

Because of how much I really do.

I love like a child

Looking at a bird in admiration.

I love like a parent

Worrying for their little ones

Bathing in rebellion.

I love like a friend

Wishing nothing for you

But a good life.

I love like the sunbird

Yearns for sweet nectar.

I love like a sister

( Or brother),

Willing to burn down the world

For the sake of the little ones.

I love like an artist

Cherishes their creations

I love like an artist

Cherishes their creations

And all those around.

I love like the moon loves the sun

From afar, in sadness.

I love like a nyctophile

Worships the night

Willing for it to arrive sooner.

I love like a poet loves despair

And everything that brings them pain

(And joy).

I love like I love myself

Even when nobody else

Is willing to do so.

I can't say, "I love you"

Not because I don't

But because

"I love you" can never carry the weight

Of how much I feel for you.

By T. Pratiksha Reddy